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Leen-s Patent N5. 81,432, dated August 25, 186s.

HIMPROVEMBNT IN SHOULDER-ERASE AND SUSPENDR GOMABINED.

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i To ALL WHOM ITMAY OONOERN;

Be it known that L'ALIOE M. EATON, of Boston, in the county of Suiolk, and State otv Massachusetts, have invented a Combined Shoulder-Brace and Suspender, of which the following is e. full,clear, and exact dcscriptiomlreference being had to the accompanying drawings, making partof this specification, in whieh- Figure 1 represents my improved shoulder-brace und suspender. i

Figure 2 represents the position of the rear parts of the same upon the wearer.

Figure 3 is a. view of`the front portions of the same when in place upon the wearer.

i My invention relates to a combined shoulder-brace and suspender for ladies or' gentlemens use,y and'eonsists in a, novel arrangement ot straps and buckles, whereby an article is produced which will serve as a garmentsupporter, and also as a brace to draw back the shoulder-sand support the back, while it is easy to apply, comfortable to the wearer, and allows of the free movement ef the body'.v

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I- will proceed'to describe the mani ner which I'have carried it out.

In the-said drawings, A is an elastic strip or strap, the portions of which are so laid across and secured to .each other as to form two loops', a a, .for the insertion `of the arms, to fit the brace in place upon the back, the top, 4, of each loop being adjusted to a 'position a little outside of the highest point of the shoulders, (see figs.

2 and l The lower ends, b of the loops a are united at a. point, c, a short distance above the points vwhere the lower ends, d d, of .the elastic strap are connected to im elastic waistband, B, which is provided with a buckle to adjust the band to the 'size 'of the waist of the wearer.

v e e are short kid straps, attachedto the waistband at the points of connection of the ends d d of the strap A therewith, 'the straps e e being'provided withbutton-holes, into which may be buttoned the buttons on'thc' upper edge ofthe back of the waist of'the garment to be supported, foninstance, a ladys hoopor other skirt, o r a gentlemans pants. l C C are two elastic straps, the bight or middle of each of which is attached to the under side of the vportions ofthe strap Aforining the loops a a, the lower .ends,fj`, of the strapsC C'passing through buckles at the' upper ends of kid straps g g, secured to thewastband B, the straps C C being thereby made adjustable to the forni, so as to prevent the under side of thearms from being chafed or cramped by contact with the portions ofy the strap forming the under side of the loops afa.

The kid straps g g are also provided with button-holes, for buttoning the upper edge or band of a. skirt oru pants thereto, by which means the hips are relieved'of the weight of the garment. l 4

Strips of tape may be attached to th'e drawers, and be led up through the buckles which adjust the straps C VC, or the upper ends of the elasticstraps #stocking-supporters may be buckled thereto, if desired.

The elasticwaistband B may also be employed by women, forattaehing adiaper thereto,A for use during the monthly periods. l 1

A hoop-skirt, when supported at its back by the kid straps e e, will hang more gracefully and closer to the .form in front, and will be thrown' slightly out behind, thus not only relieving' the hips ofthe weight, but assistf ing in the proper disposition and fit of the other garments.

The points where the tops of the portions of the strap A form the-loops a a, rest upon the shoulders, are slightly outside of the tops of the shoulders, and this feature, in connection with uniting the'lower ends, b 6, ot' the loops to each other and to the strap A, at a pointe little above the waist,.eombines to produce a. means for supportingI garments `with ease and perfect freedom to the limbs, and also for bracing and holding the back and chest in a position intendedfor them by nature, the movement of the arms, in whatever directiomeausing the strap A to press in and prop up'the back, as required. y

The shoulder-brace and suspender may be used withoutthe waistband; if desired, without departing from the spirit of m'y invention.

Claim.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The within-described shoulder-brace and suspender, consisting of the waistband B, with its buckle, elastic straps A und C C, and those, e e and g g, -ivth their buckles and button-holes, the Whole combined, arranged,

and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

A. M. EATON. Witnesses:

N. W. STEARNS, W. J.. CAMBRIDGE. 

